Alshon Jeffery suspended four games for PED violation

Alshon Jeffery is eligible to return to the Bears’ roster on Dec. 12, after their game against the Lions. Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended without pay for the next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

In a statement released Monday, Jeffery said he took a “recommended supplement” to battle inflammation, and that it contained an ingredient on the league’s banned substance list.

“I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement,” he said. “I want to apologize to my family, the Bears organization, my teammates, and Bears fans. I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation and look forward to being back on the field.”

Jeffery is eligible to return to Chicago’s active roster following the Bears’ game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 11.

“Obviously, we are very disappointed,” coach John Fox said Monday. “I think he’s fairly embarrassed about it, but we’ll support him and welcome him when he gets back after serving his suspension.

“I think the league contacted us and obviously talked to Alshon. Those conversations will stay between us, but we’re obviously very disappointed and we’ll treat it like an injury [absence] moving forward.”

Entering Week 10, Jeffery ranked eighth in the league in receiving yards since 2013, and he is fifth in franchise history with 13 games of 100-plus receiving yards.

Jeffery, 26, will be a free agent this off-season unless the Bears again apply their franchise tag to him again.

Already without 2015 first-round pick Kevin White (injured reserve), the Bears will be perilously thin at receiver during Jeffery’s four-game absence. After veteran Eddie Royal, the most productive player on the active roster is second-year wideout Cameron Meredith, who originally played quarterback in college at Illinois State University.

In five seasons, all with the Bears, Jeffery has 292 receptions for 4,358 yards and 25 touchdowns.